Experience

Makes all the difference

The Thompson Katzaroff Kottmeier Group provides customized financial planning and wealth management services to clients who desire a superior level of personal service. With more than 150 years of combined experience in the wealth management arena, our greatest satisfaction comes from working with clients for many years and helping them realize their dreams. We will act as your advocate in all wealth matters.

Joseph Katzaroff, CFP®

Managing Director–Wealth Management

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)

I’m Joe Katzaroff, our team’s lead certified financial planner (CFP) and senior partner, boasting an impressive 36 year wealth management career.  My journey began in 1988 and I’ve remained dedicated to UBS (formerly Paine Webber) ever since.  In 1988, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from California State University of Long Beach in 1988.

At UBS, I provide wealth management services with a focus on understanding understanding your wealth, and grasping what you wish to achieve.  These essential aspects form the foundation of our collaboration.  By diving deep into these elements, we can develop personalized and effective strategy to help you reach your financial goals and aspirations with confidence and clarity.

Outside of my professional endeavors, my heart belongs to my wife Barbara, my college sweetheart, and together, we have joyfully raised four wonderful and active children.  During my leisure time, I enjoy thrilling adventures on my mountain bike, invigorating wakeboarding & wake surfing sessions at Lake Mead, and I’m an avid Pickleball player. My dedication to both my professional and personal pursuits makes me a well-rounded and respected individual.

Let’s embark on this financial journey together, building a brighter and prosperous future for you and your loved ones.

CA Inc Lic 0A45893

Registered States:
  • AK
  • AL
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • OR
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI
  • WY

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • California State University of Long Beach, Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
  • Senior Portfolio Manager

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Legacy planning
Retirement planning
Estate planning strategies
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

joseph.katzaroff@ubs.com,karen.dryer@ubs.com
Joseph Katzaroff, CFP®
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Sasha Kottmeier

Executive Director

Financial Advisor

As a Wealth Advisor, Sasha develops customized strategies to help clients pursue their goals. Sasha focuses on longevity planning, including retirement income, and insurance planning. He
has a strong practice of implementing wealth transfer strategies, including inheritance and business succession planning. Additionally, he has a strong knowledge of life transition planning for marriage, divorce and loss of a loved one. He always puts his clients first and enjoys helping them reach their financial goals.

Over the last 20 years, Sasha has gained experience, wisdom and resources that he shares with his clients to best pursue the goals that truly matter to them.

Sasha and his wife have three children, two girls and one boy. Outside of the office, he enjoys mountain biking, running, motorcycles, free diving and traveling. His greatest enjoyment comes from spending time with his family.

CA Ins. Lic. 0C80674

Registered States:
  • AK
  • AL
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI
  • WY

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Credentials

  • Athletes and Entertainers Consultant

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Investing
Alternative investments
Structured products
Professional athletes
Professional entertainers
Business owners
Professionals
Corporate executives
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

sasha.kottmeier@ubs.com
Sasha Kottmeier
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Taylor Thompson, CFP®

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Taylor joined the team in 2012 after graduating from Vanderbilt University, where he studied community development and Spanish. He earned the Certified Financial PlannerTM certifcation in 2016 and completed the Oxford Impact Investing Programme in 2017. He enjoys working with clients to understand and align their values, investment strategies, financial goals and philanthropic visions. In addition to providing advice, he dedicates time to our community by volunteering to empower social entrepreneurs and creatives. Taylor lives in San Clemente with his wife, Ashley, and daughters, Poppy, Kaia, and Summer.

CA Ins Lic 0I07998

Registered States:
  • AK
  • AL
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI
  • WY

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • Vanderbilt University, Community Development and Spanish

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Banking
Lending services
Cash management
Philanthropy
Multi-generational families
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

taylor.thompson@ubs.com
Taylor Thompson, CFP®
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Blake Thompson, CEPA®

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

Blake attended San Diego State, where he graduated with a B.S. in business finance. He holds the Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses. Blake immerses himself in the world of finance by studying Ben Graham’s concept of Margin of Safety and Philip Fisher’s 15 points for Growth Investing. He has an emphasis on valuation in his approach to the capital markets. Blake married his wife, Amy, in July 2020, and they are expecting their first baby in early 2023. On the weekends, Blake enjoys going to the park with their dog, Buddy, staying active, reading books and spending time with friends and family.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • FL
  • ID
  • IL
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MT
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA

Education

  • San Diego State, B.S. in Business Finance

Credentials

  • Certified Exit Planning Advisor

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Exit planning
Business succession
Investing
Custom portfolios
Asset allocation
Corporate executives
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

blake.thompson@ubs.com
Blake Thompson, CEPA®
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Jaime Lowry

Senior Client Associate

For Jaime, going out of her way to serve people is second nature. Since 1997, she's earned an extraordinary reputation in the Financial Services Industry. Today, Jaime continues to bring a deep personal commitment to serving clients' needs. She retains her passion for understanding their values, aspirations and concerns. Jaime joined UBS Financials Services in 2008. She holds Series 7 and 66 licenses. Jaime grew up in Staten Island, NY and moved to California in 2002. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, volunteering at her church and spending time with her two daughters, Arianna and Gabriela.

Registered States:
  • AK
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NH
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PR
  • RI
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI
  • WY
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

jaime.lowry@ubs.com
Jaime Lowry
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Karen Dryer, CFP®

Wealth Strategy Associate

Karen graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.S. in Mathematics in 2007. After graduating, she joined UBS to begin her career in the financial services industry. She holds Series 7 and 66 licenses as well as the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) certification. She is the team lead and is dedicated to strengthening client relationships through constant communication and efficiently solving client issues. Karen and her husband, David, have two sons and a French Bulldog. She enjoys working out, traveling, and attending sporting events.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • NC
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OR
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • University of California, Irvine, B.S. in Mathematics

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Banking
Lending services
Cash management
Securities-backed lending
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

karen.dryer@ubs.com
Karen Dryer, CFP®
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Aimee Michael

Client Associate

Aimee began her career at UBS in 2011 as a Branch Service Associate in Operations and joined the team in 2014. She brings over 20 years in customer service experience and a background in procurement and bookkeeping. She studied business and finance at Cal State Long Beach and at the University of Redlands School of Business. Aimee loves spending time at the beach and taking walks. She has been married for over 18 years to her husband, Tim, and has three children.

Education

  • Cal State Long Beach and at the University of Redlands School of Business, Business and Finance
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

aimee.michael@ubs.com
Aimee Michael
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Jolene Albrecht

Senior Client Associate

Jolene started her financial career in 1996 in Southern California and in the same year obtained her Series 7 and 63 securities licenses. She later obtained the life, accident and health insurance licenses. In 2003, she moved to Portland, OR, where she worked for UBS before moving into the banking advisory sector. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for outstanding customer service skills and for building strong client relationships. Jolene has been married for over 30 years to Michael, who has one daughter, son in law and grandson.  She enjoys the California sunshine, walking, traveling and wine tasting.

CA Ins Lic 0I43386

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • NC
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OR
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

jolene.albrecht@ubs.com
Jolene Albrecht
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Carrie Hennessey

Client Associate

Carrie brings over 20 years of business experience to her role, in which she attains satisfaction through helping others. She holds Series 7 and Series 66 Securities licenses. Carrie is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. Carrie enjoys time with her family, friends, dogs, sports, and outdoor activities.

Registered States:
  • CA
20 Pacifica
Suite 1500
Irvine, CA 92618

Email Me

carrie.hennessey@ubs.com
Carrie Hennessey
20 Pacifica,Irvine,CA,92618

Our resources

  • Casey Verst

    Executive Director

    Senior Wealth Strategy Consultant

    Introduction
    Casey works with high net worth clients to help develop estate plans that achieve personal goals, while simultaneously leveraging their gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions to preserve and protect family wealth. Casey also helps review clients' current estate plans and coordinates with clients' advisors to ensure each client's estate planning goals are being achieved in a tax efficient manner.

    Professional History
    Prior to joining UBS, Casey practiced law with the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in Los Angeles, CA, focusing on estate and tax planning for high-net worth individuals.

    Education
    Casey received his B.A. in Political Science from UCLA, and his J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law.
  • Roubina

    Roubina Kurkjian

    NMLS #947868

    Senior Wealth Management Banker, UBS Bank USA

    Roubina Kurkjian joined UBS Bank USA in 2016 and she is currently a Senior Wealth Management Banker covering the Orange County Market.

    Roubina has an extensive background in relationship banking. She is focused on providing Financial Advisors and their clients a variety of cash management resources along with banking solutions that may complement their overall wealth management objectives.

    Professional history

    Roubina began her career in financial services in 1998. Prior to joining UBS, Roubina was most recently a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.

    Education and personal information

    In Roubina’s role as a Senior Wealth Management Banker her NMLS # is 637447. She holds her Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, and California Insurance license . She also holds a B.S in Business Management and Operations Management from California State University Long Beach.

    Outside of the office, Roubina currently lives in Cowan Heights, California with her husband and two children.

    Senior Wealth Management Bankers are employees of UBS Bank USA. UBS Bank USA is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. UBS Bank USA, Member FDIC, NMLS No. 947868. Equal Housing Lender

  • Lisa Snyder

    Lisa Snyder

    Executive Director

    Wealth Planning Strategist

    Current role and areas of expertise

    Lisa is a Wealth Planning Strategist for the West Division. In this capacity, Lisa is responsible for providing Financial Advisors and their high net worth clients with unbiased, product neutral, advanced planning strategies, design and implementation. As an advanced financial planner, she provides expertise in the following areas:

    Estate and multi-generational planning
    Retirement income and cash flow analysis
    Business continuity and succession planning
    Retirement plans and employee benefits
    Risk and liability management planning
    Charitable giving strategies
    Executive compensation and benefit strategies

    Professional history

    Lisa is a former estate planning attorney with more than twenty years of experience in financial services. Her focus has been helping clients successfully plan for wealth preservation, estate transition, philanthropy and generational prosperity. She has also been a featured speaker at national conferences and regional events, including Hawaii Tax Institute and Delaware Bankers Trust Conference. Prior to UBS, Lisa was Chief Learning Officer at the Institute for Preparing Heirs and Legacy Strategist at First Republic Bank.

    Education and personal information

    Lisa has a Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio University Honors Tutorial College. Lisa and her wife, Kimberlee, reside in Los Angeles. They love the Dodgers, a good road trip and the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl. Lisa also enjoys Stephen King novels, 70’s music and a perfectly brewed iced tea.
  • Michelle Hollaender

    Michelle Hollaender

    Digital Specialist

    WM USA Digital Strategy & Platforms

    Michelle joined UBS Financial Services in February, 2006, as a Senior Registered Client Service Associate and since that time she has held various roles in the firm within management.  She holds licenses including Series 7, 66, and 31 among others.

     

    In 2016, Michelle moved into the role of Digital Specialist and currently serves branches in California, Arizona, and Hawaii. In addition to providing education on the applications used at the firm to employees, she works with clients and assists with the navigation and use of the digital capabilities available to them through UBS.

     

    Michelle and her family live in the community of Del Sur in San Diego County.  She spends free time exploring the surrounding area and watching sporting events, both professional and her son’s Little League Baseball and soccer games.